Spokesman explains: Duterte’s ‘kill the bishops’ remark just means ‘stop criticizing’
PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo yesterday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s statement last Wednesday that bishops in the country should be killed was “only for dramatic effect.”
Mr. Duterte, in his remarks at a Palace event on Dec. 5, said: “Itong mga obispo ninyo, patayin ninyo. Walang silbi yang mga gagong yan (These bishops of yours, kill them. Those fools are useless). All they do is criticize.”
Asked for comment during a Palace briefing on Thursday, Dec. 6, Mr. Panelo explained: “I think that’s only a hyperbole on the part of the President. We should be getting used to this President. He makes certain statements for dramatic effect. But he actually means stop criticizing and do some good for this country, help us.”
The spokesman also brushed aside the possible implication of encouraging more killings, saying, “No, I do not think so. Majority of the Filipinos have, I think, been used to this President.”
Asked what would convince the President to stop from criticizing the Catholic Church, he said: “It’s not a matter of convincing. Perhaps it is a psyche; it is in his mind. There are certain things that he doesn’t approve of. And he expresses his thoughts to us. Perhaps in a manner that some of us don’t want, but that is his style. As correctly pointed out by Senator (Panfilo M.) Lacson, when we voted him into office, his style was factored in. So we have to leave it up.”
He added that the President, in return, does not expect any apology from the clergymen who have been very vocal in criticizing his administration.
“Not really. What he is you saying is, ‘Stop criticizing, do something good. You can’t find anything good that I’m doing. And yet even the Pope is saying that all countries should fight drug addiction, drug syndicates.’ So even the Pope is supporting him. Now, that they say — but he is supporting only the drug campaign against drug syndicates but not the killing. But you assume that the state initiates that killing, which we always dispute,” Mr. Panelo explained. — Arjay L. Balinbin
Briguez is new Air Force chief
The Philippine Air Force named Lt. Gen. Rozzano D. Briguez as its new chief on Thursday, Dec. 6.
In a letter dated Dec. 5, President Rodrigo R. Duterte informed Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana of the appointment of Mr. Briguez.
“I wish to inform you that, per your letter-endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chairman, AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act. No. 8186, as amended, the designation of LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROZZANO D. BRIGUEZ 0-9474 ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES as Commanding General, Philippine Air Force vice LTGEN GALILEO GERARD R. KINTANAR, JR. 0-9216 AFP is hereby APPROVED effective this date,” the letter stated.
Mr. Kintanar has opted for an early retirement, according to Department of National Defense Spokesperson Arsenio R. Andolong in a chance interview with reporters.
“General Kintanar simply opted for early retirement,” said Mr. Andolong.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Chief Col. Noel J. Detoyato, meanwhile, said Mr. Briguez’s appointment is to give way to junior officers.
“It’s just to give way for the junior officers, that’s how professional and dynamic the organization is,” Mr. Detoyato told reporters.
“(S)o the dynamism of the AFP organization is if the junior officers have to go up, the older ones have to give way,” he added
Mr. Briguez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1986. Other members of class 1986 who are currently serving major commands of AFP are: Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, and Philippine Marines Corps Commandant Major General Alvin A. Parreño.
Mr. Briguez was the head of the AFP’s Western Command in 2017. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
Gov’t offices told: Christmas parties should not disrupt public service
THE CIVIL Service Commission (CSC) yesterday reminded government offices, especially the frontline agencies, that the holding of Christmas parties and other year-end celebrations should not disrupt the delivery of public services. “The CSC does not prohibit the holding of Christmas parties as long as government agencies can assure continued delivery of efficient services,” the agency said in a statement. CSC advised the adoption of “appropriate working schedules and assign skeletal forces to ensure that all clients who are within their premises are attended to during office celebrations.” CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said, “Christmas is the season of sharing and giving and I know that the best gift government workers can give to the transacting public is the provision of responsive, compassionate, and effective public service, not only for the holidays but throughout the year.”
